First Look at Sonic: The Card Game from Steamforged Games

June 18, 2021 by fcostin

A few months back, Sonic: The Card Game was announced by Steamforged Games and this was one particular title I was thrilled to see the transition over from the console to the deck.

The announcement left me excited and anticipated, with nothing more than just a title for the game. No mechanics and more importantly, will my favourite characters, Shadow and my favourite lilac cat, Blaze be making an appearance?

Fortunately for me and all the other Sonic the Hedgehog fans out there, more information has been released surrounding gameplay, heroes, villains, and so much more. So get your running shoes on and prepare to collect some gold rings, and we are about to go fast.

Sonic: The Card Game // Steamforged Games

What do we expect from Sonic? We race! That's right, the card game will have players completing complex and buildable levels, collecting gold rings, using power-ups and avoiding enemies to win the game. As 2-6 players will be racing it out to the finish line.

Sonic: The Card Game // Steamforged Games

Really, what I was most excited about from the game was to see what characters would be involved. It is no surprise that my favourite character is Blaze the Cat (so much lilac...), along with the dark counterbalance in my personality, Shadow. Players can race to the finish line as Sonic, Amy, Tails, Knuckles, Shadow and Blaze.

Boy, was I happy to see some familiar artwork and not something newly created to look like Sonic! I still have not seen the Sonic film, due to the fact that even the reimagined version of Sonic makes me uncomfortable.

Sonic: The Card Game // Steamforged Games

A fascinating concept within the game is the players' opportunity to build levels. Players can incorporate different aspects of the Sonic video game into the card version. As players draft cards, they will place their track to build the levels whilst racing.

Sonic: The Card Game // Steamforged Games

The game does require strategy too, this is not just a case of race and collect to win. Players need to consider their placement in where the race lies to make the decision to race or retire. Retiring is safe, it allows you to share your collection which you have coveted. However, if you would like to gamble at your chances of winning the race to earn more rewards.

Sonic: The Card Game // Steamforged Games

It would not truly be Sonic the Hedgehog without Dr Eggman and some enemies to throw a spanner in the works. Enemies on the track can cause problems for you reaching that finish line. As these enemies can be pulled out of the deck at any time. If you find the same enemy twice you will lose a life, and the ability to collect more rings. However, retiring from the race will avoid all of the negative outcomes and leave Eggman to fight another day.

Sonic: The Card Game // Steamforged Games

Gambling the chance to stay in the game or leave due to loss of rings or loss of life may be worth retiring from the race. But there are some incentives to keep you in and propel your past your opponents. Power-ups and bonus cards will give you that fighting edge you need to get yourself from the back of the queue all the way to first place. With super-speed in your shoes, the chance to become invincible against some enemy antics or even some extra lives or extra rings.

From what I was expecting from Sonic, it certainly was not a complex or type of LCG. However, I was correct the game is pitched for ages 6+ and can take roughly 20-30 minutes to play. It will certainly be a perfect tactical move for me to coax my younger nieces into a card game, with the added bonus of educating them on the Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog!

Be sure to keep your poker face on, and bluff your way through the race with family and friends. The release date is still to be confirmed by Steamforged Games, but with any hope, we will be seeing Sonic and friends racing across the tabletop soon.

Are you looking forward to picking up this light-weight card game?

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